|
EMT TRAINING COURSES 1. Where can I find a list of EMT courses in Alameda County?
The ALCO EMS web site has a list of EMT Courses approved by Alameda County EMS. In addition, there may also be courses offered by organizations that have received EMT Program approval from a neighboring county. Click here for a list of training programs in Alameda County.
2. What is contained in the courses?
Each EMT course must be a minimum of 114 total hours. Of these hours, a minimum of 104 hours is for didactic classroom instruction and skills training, and another minimum of 10 hours are for supervised clinical experience. The clinical time is divided into hospital emergency room and EMT ambulance ride-along time. All courses must follow state guidelines. At the completion of the program, a written and skills exam is given that must be passed to receive a course certificate.
3. How long are the courses?
The public college courses are a semester in length, meaning from late August to mid-December for the Fall semester and January to May for the Spring semester. They may meet one day each week or two evenings per week. Contact the colleges for information on their courses. The private agencies offering the courses offer different courses. Some may last for five weeks, others longer, depending on how often they meet. With such a varied selection of dates and time, most students find a class that fits their needs.
4. Are there prerequisites to taking an EMT course?
EMT Courses usually require a general first aid or an advance first aid course, and a CPR class as the only prerequisites. For information on the acceptable CPR classes, click here.
5. What does an EMT Program cost?
The cost depends on the program. The fees for a community college include an amount per semester unit, books, and may also require a parking permit. This can run from $200.00 to $300.00. Private courses can run from around $700.00 up to over $1500.00. Courses may require students to have clothes appropriate for their hospital and ambulance clinical experiences-usually dark pants, a white shirt, and black shoes or boots.
6. Is an EMT course taken here accepted statewide?
An EMT Program is accepted statewide, however each county may set specific requirements to certify in their county. For example, some counties require students to take and pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians test in order to receive their county's certification. Once you are certified by one county in the state, your certification is accepted statewide.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE MY EMT CARD1. Once I have my EMT Card, where can I work?
EMTs typically work in ambulances while others work in hospital emergency rooms. A search in the Yellow Pages under Ambulance Service or Hospitals will give you numbers where you cans start your job search.
2. What do I have to do to maintain certification?
-
Keep your CPR certificate current.Keep your EMT card current by renewing it every two years. Click here for information on the recertification process.
-
Take continuing education or refresher classes necessary for renewal. Click here for information on CE or refresher courses.
THE EMT APPLICATION PROCESS1. Can I mail my application or do I have to apply in person?
We accept applications by mail or in person. Our front office is staffed between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
2. How long will it take to get my card?
Typically an application is processed in about 2 weeks. Occasionally, it may take longer. We process applications as quickly and efficiently as we can. One way to speed up your application is to make sure your application is filled-out completely and all required documentation is attached. We do not issue cards while one waits.
3. Why did you deny my application?
There are occasions when an application has been filled out wrong, has the wrong CPR class, is not signed, has failed to include the fee, etc. In these cases, we send a letter to explain what is wrong with your materials. Your application will be processed when you submit the necessary materials.
4. Can Alameda County EMS help me find a job as an EMT?
ALCO EMS does not provide job-matching assistance, however we can provide you with the names of local ambulance providers and/or hospitals that typically hire EMTs.
EMT INITIAL CERTIFICATION1. Is there an age requirement?
You must be at least eighteen years of age to certify as an EMT.
2. What do I need to turn in?
Your EMT application package must include:
-
A signed EMT Certification application.A copy of the front and back of your CPR card. Click here for a list of acceptable classes.A copy of your driver's license.A copy of your EMT course completion certificate.A copy of your completed Live Scan form.
-
A money order, cashier's check or municipal purchase order in the amount of $35.00 payable to Alameda County EMS. The application fee is non-refundable.
3. How soon after the end of the course can get my EMT card?
Sometimes we have to wait for course rosters for classes taught in Alameda County. Your training program has 15 days to send these to the EMS office. Generally it will take two weeks to process your application once we receive the roster and your completed application.
4. What are the most common reasons for denial of an EMT card?
The most common reason is when a student has taken the wrong CPR class.
The second most common reason is a positive criminal background check of significant cause for us to deny your application.
5. Is there a time limit to apply for county certification?
You have two years from the date of your course completion certificate to apply for Alameda County certification. Applications submitted after that date will not be accepted and you must take the complete course over again.
EMT RECERTIFICATION1. What do I need to turn in?
Your EMT application package must include:
2. When can I submit my recertification application?
It is a good idea to turn your materials in at least a month before your expiration date. You cannot expect to turn your materials in the day you expire and have it taken care of. Your recertification application package can be submitted up to six months in advance of your card expiring. Your new expiration date will be two years from the current expiration date.
3. What kind of CEUs are acceptable and when should I take a refresher course?
For information on continuing education and refresher courses, click here.
4. Can I work as an EMT with an expired card?
You may not work as an EMT or represent yourself as an EMT if your card has expired. One day late is the same as six months late. There are no extensions of your expiration date.
5. My certification has expired. What do I have to do?
State law requires that if you turn your recertification materials after your card has expired, you have to take a written and skills certification examination. These can usually be found at one of the training programs in the county. For a list of the Training Programs in Alameda County click here.
6. How long do I have to recertify once my card has expired?
You have four years to reapply. After that, you have to take the complete EMT course over again and then apply for certification.
CPR CLASSES 1. What CPR cards do you accept?
The ALCO EMS Agency accepts three different CPR classes. Other classes may be accepted if they meet the standards of one of those agencies. Some agencies teach to these standards, others may not. When in doubt, ask!
-
American Heart Association Healthcare Provider. (Good for two years).American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. (Good for one year).CDF Public Safety CPR
-
A course taught to the standards of one of the above agencies.
2. What happens if I've taken the wrong CPR class?
If you submit your application with the wrong CPR card, it will be returned and will need to be resubmitted with the correct CPR card. Commonly submitted wrong cards include: Red Cross Adult CPR, Adult CPR/AED, and Adult / Infant / Child CPR, or the American Heart Association Heartsaver Card.
BACKGROUND & LIVE SCAN CHECKS1. Why is a background check required?
Like many agencies, EMS is concerned with the integrity of its prehospital personnel. We require the Live Scan background check for all EMTs just as the EMS Authority at the state level requires of all paramedics. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) performs the applicant's background check for any type of criminal history.
2. What is the background check process?
The background check process began on September 1, 2002. A Live Scan form is completed and an appointment made to have your fingerprints electronically taken. The prints are fed to the DOJ where they are run through their system.
3. Where do I find Live Scan forms and the information to put on them?
Live Scan form is available online or may be pickup at the EMS Agency Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:45 pm. If necessary, a form can be sent to you. There is an accompanying five-page document that explains the process, how to fill out the form, a sample form, and locations where the Live Scan can be done.
4. How much does the Live Scan process cost?
There are two fees associated with getting a Live Scan. One is the "rolling fee" charged by the agency that does the Live Scan, about $20.00, and another fee charged by the DOJ to process the prints, about $32.00. Fees are subject to change. Contact the Live Scan agency to get an exact cost and to know what forms of payments they will accept.
5. What does the Alameda County Background Check Policy cover? (this policy is not available on-line at this time)
6. Who is exempt from doing a Live Scan?
Employees of Alameda County Public Safety Agencies who had a background check as part of the hiring process are exempt from this requirement. The Live Scan process provides background information to EMS on an ongoing basis, not just at the time of the initial check. Therefore, in order to receive this information for any subsequent arrests and/or convictions, everyone else, including employees of non Alameda County Public Safety Agencies is required to submit a Live Scan DOJ background check.
7. How long does the background check process take?
For the individual with a clean background, the prints usually clear in 48 to 72-hours. If you have an arrest and/or conviction(s) in your background, the process will take considerably longer. The time depends on how long it takes the DOJ to report back on your fingerprints. It may take from several weeks to several months.
8. What will the Live Scan show?
The Live Scan gives us a printout of any criminal history in your background. If you have an arrest and/or conviction in your background, you will be asked to provide us with an explanation of the event and copies of the court docket. From that information we will make a determination regarding whether or not to issue you an EMT certificate.
9. What happens if I have a positive arrest and / or conviction history?
Any positive history, regardless of the infraction, will be investigated. The applicant must submit a copy of the final court docket of the infraction(s) and a letter of explanation providing us with the details the infraction(s). Additional materials that may be submitted include: letters of recommendations from current and past employers or instructors, and / or letters about the applicant's character. Because a positive history typically results in delays in the DOJ system, we will submit copies of the materials to the DOJ to help finalize a decision.
10. What happens if I have an arrest and / or conviction after a negative Live Scan?
In addition to certification / recertification actions, an EMT certificate may be suspended or revoked based on criminal history information. In other words, if your initial Live Scan is negative, and you subsequently get in trouble, we are notified by the DOJ. Depending on the problem, you may be asked to provide us with information on the incident.
11. I've had a Live Scan done for another agency. Can you use that information?
Unfortunately, agencies cannot share Live Scan information. Even though you may have done a Live Scan for DMV or for a company as part of their employment process, they cannot share the results with us. You have to do a Live Scan specifically for ALCO EMS.
12. Where can I have the Live Scan done in Alameda County?
There are many Live Scan sites in Alameda County. This document contains the Live Scan Sites (last page).
13. How can I find Live Scan sites outside of Alameda County?
Your Live Scan can be done anywhere in the state, or even outside of California. Go to the DOJ web site at http://caag.state.ca.us/fingerprints/index.htm to view a file that shows locations in other counties in California.
To find site outside of California, you have two choices:
-
Do a search on Google with "<your state> Live Scan" where <your state> is the name of the state in which you want to do a Live Scan. Searching by state and county may narrow your search further.
-
Inquire at your local police department whether they do the Live Scan testing.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & REFRESHER COURSES1. Where can I take continuing education or refresher courses?
Continuing education and refresher courses for recertification can be taken anywhere; they do not have to be done in Alameda County. They must, however, be offered from an approved prehospital C.E provider. EMS providers, hospitals, fire departments, training programs, and private companies may be approved as Alameda County CE Providers.
2. How can I find continuing education classes?
Continuing education courses are offered by different organizations. Call a few of the organizations on the list and ask if they have any upcoming classes. Many of the agencies offer CE classes to their employees but not to the general public.
ALCO EMS may know of upcoming classes or conferences - e-mail us or give us a call at 510-618-2038 to see if there are any classes pending.
Several online CE providers offer classes that can be taken by EMTs and paramedics.
3. What's the difference between continuing education and refresher courses?
Continuing education courses are typically one to two hour courses on a variety of topics. Multiple courses are taken to obtain the needed number of hours. Often conferences offer one or more days of continuing education credits. Refresher courses are typically 24 hours in length (spread over multiple days or evenings) and are focused on teaching commonly used skills and learning experiences.
4. Why would I choose a refresher course over continuing education courses?
If you work as an EMT, continuing education classes are a good way to learn about different topics. If you are not working in the field, a refresher course is a good way to get an overview of all the subjects and skills you are expected to know. A refresher course
5. How much continuing education do I need?
You need 24 hours from an approved C.E. Provider every two years in order to recertify. The courses must have been taken during the two years prior to your recertifying.
6. What do I do with my CE certificates?
Your certificates must be kept for four years. Copies must be submitted with your recertification application.
7. Why wouldn't you accept my continuing education paperwork?
An approved Prehospital CE Provider must have a C.E. provider number issued to them by a local EMS Agency or the state EMS Authority. The number is shown on the class certificate (it is a 6-digit number xx-xxxx). CE classes may be taken from any provider with a prehospital C.E. number and do not have to be taken in Alameda County.
Nursing classes, college classes, and the like are not acceptable unless taught by an approved pre-hospital CE Provider.
WRITTEN & SKILLS EXAMS1. When do I need to do a written & skills exam?
Written and skills exams are done at the end of your EMT course. Following your EMT certification, you will need to take another written and skills exam once every four years. It is your responsibility to take the exam when it is due and provide documentation of the exam with your next recertification.
If you want to be certified in Alameda County after completing an EMT program out-of-state or having been certified out-of-state, you will need to take a written and skills exam in order to obtain certification. Click here for information on Certifications from Out-of-County.
2. Where can I take a written & skills exam?
EMT training programs typically offer refresher courses with a written and skills exams. The refresher courses are often done near the end of the regular EMT courses. Contact the training programs for upcoming dates of their written and skills exams and refresher courses. Not all training programs give written and skill exams and refresher courses to the general public. Some of the training programs are administered by fire departments for their employees.
CHALLENGE EXAMINATION1. Can I challenge the EMT exam?
Only a currently licensed physician, registered nurse, physician assistant, vocational nurse, currently EMT-P, or an individual with documented evidence of successfully completing an EMT training program of the Armed Forces (as defined in Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 2, section 100078) is eligible to take a challenge exam. A list of examination sites can be obtained from the EMS office.
OUT-OF-COUNTY OR OUT-OF-STATE CERTIFICATIONS1. What if I took an EMT course in California but outside of Alameda County?
EMS Agency policy # 3200 states that if you took your EMT class in another county, you must provide written documentation that you have passed an approved written and skills certification examination. Many EMT course certificates include a statement on the certificate attesting to the completion of a written & skills exam, if not you will need to get this information from your training program.
2. What if I took an EMT course out-of-state but never received an EMT certificate?
If you have never received an EMT certificate after completing an out-of-state course, you must submit a certification application, a copy of your CPR card from an approved course, the fee, a copy of your course certificate (from an EMT training program that is equivalent to the US Department of Transportation EMT National Standard Curriculum), and you must take a certifying written and skills examination. In Alameda County, you can contact one of the EMT Training Programs to find an exam.
3. What if I have an EMT certificate from another state?
You must have an out-of-state or NREMT card that is no longer than four years old. You must submit a recertification application, a copy of your CPR card from an approved course, the fee, a copy of your out-of-state or NREMT card, and you must take a certifying written and skills examination. In Alameda County, you can contact one of the EMT Training Programs to find an exam.
4. Can I challenge the EMT exam?
Only currently licensed physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, vocational nurses, currently EMT-Ps, or individuals with documented evidence of successfully completing an EMT training program of the Armed Forces are eligible to take a challenge exam.
PARAMEDIC ACCREDIATION1. When and why do I need paramedic accreditation?
The state's Emergency Medical Services Authority in Sacramento licenses you as a paramedic. In order to work in Alameda County you must be accredited by ALCO EMS.
2. How much does paramedic accreditation cost?
The fee for paramedic accreditation is $25.00. The application fee is non-refundable.
3. What does local accreditation involve?
Accreditation to practice as a paramedic in Alameda County shall be granted upon successful completion of the following:
-
Provide evidence of a valid California Paramedic License.Attend the Alameda County EMS system orientation (offered monthly).Provide documentation of training and competency in the local optional and expanded scope of practice (see policy #7001).Complete an accreditation application.A money order, cashier's check or municipal purchase order in the amount of $25.00 payable to Alameda County EMS. The application fee is non-refundable.
-
Provide proof of employment with an approved Paramedic provider agency.
Accreditation will be granted upon successful completion of the above elements within 30 days from the date the accreditation application is received. Candidates failing to do so must reapply.
4. How long is the accreditation good for?
Your accreditation is continuous as long as you:
-
Maintain your California Paramedic license.
-
Meet local requirements for updates in local policy, procedure, protocol and local optional scope of practice, and comply with the requirements in the system-wide Quality Improvement program (policy # 2000).
5. Can I lose my accreditation, and if so, then what?
If any of the above requirements are not met or maintained, accreditation to practice shall be withdrawn until successful completion of the requirement(s). A Paramedic whose accreditation has been withdrawn for more than one year shall be required to re-apply for initial accreditation. You may only work in your basic scope of practice until your accreditation is current.
6. Where can I find our more about accreditation?
ALCO EMS Policy # 3302 describes the local accreditation process.
7. As a paramedic, do I need an EMT card?
No, an individual who is currently licensed as a paramedic in California is considered to be a certified EMT-I without any additional testing.
8. What if I want an EMT card anyway?
A currently licensed EMT-P who wants to obtain a separate EMT-I certificate should complete an application and submit a copy of the current EMT-P license and the application fee to the EMS Office. The expiration date of the EMT-I certificate will be two years from the expiration date of the EMT-P license.
|
Up